The Phillies are playing like absolute, utter crap. At the same time, we’ve been through this all before…last season.
Losers of 8 of their last 9, nothing seems to be going right for the defending World Champs. The bullpen can’t hold a lead, the starters (with the exception of Cole) can’t last, and the offense is sputtering. It’s hard to imagine this team could repeat based on how they’re playing right now.
Ironically enough, we were saying the exact same thing this time last season.
The 2008 Phillies started June off hot, winning 7 of 8. Then they completely tanked, dropping 13 of the last 18 games in the month. The Phils dropped six in a row at one point to the Red Sox, Angels, and A’s and went 3-9 in June Interleague play.
Fast forward to this season. The Phillies won the first four games of June, but since the start of Interleague play they are 1-9. The pitching and offense are completely out of sync: one day a starter may give you seven innings but the offense will fail to put runs on the board. When the offense scores the pitchers falter. The story was the same in June of ’08 as it is today.
Perfect example: today Cole Hamels pitched 8 terrific innings, giving up just 2 runs and striking out ten. Phils lose 2-1. June 21, 2008 Cole pitched 7 strong giving up just 3 earned runs. Phils lose 3-2. The only difference between then and now is back in 2008 all the big bats were healthy…this year Raul Ibanez in on the 15 day-DL and Ryan Howard is in the hospital with the flu.
That is the exact reason why there is no need to panic if you are a Phillies fan. Raul should be back soon enough from his groin injury, Ryan should be back very soon, and Brad Lidge is one more rehab start away from retaking the closer role. With Lidge back the bullpen should rebound with everyone back in their typical roles, and Scott Eyre’s return will help too because it will allow us to dump that worthless bum Jack Trashner. Obviously Ruben Amaro still needs to find a starter to replace Brett Myers, but that’s beyond the player’s control at this point.
Is it frustrating to watch the Phillies piss away chances to increase their division lead against mediocre opposition? Of course it is, and the fans have a right to be angry. At the same time don’t forget how horrible June of 2008 was and how that season ultimately ended. Fortunately for the Phillies Champions clearly aren’t crowned in June.
